Description

A refreshing and crunchy Broccoli Cranberry Salad featuring chopped broccoli, dried cranberries, walnuts, crispy bacon, and a creamy, slightly sweet dressing made with mayonnaise, orange honey, and apple cider vinegar. Perfect as a side dish or light lunch, this salad combines savory, sweet, and tangy flavors for a delightful bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

1 bunch Broccoli (chopped into small florets; ~4 cups)
1/2 cup Dried cranberries
1/4 cup Walnuts (chopped; or pumpkin seeds for nut-free)
1/4 cup Cooked bacon (crumbled)
1/4 cup Red onion (sliced into thin quarter moons)

Dressing Ingredients

1/2 cup Mayonnaise (or 2/3 cup for extra creamy salad)
1 1/2 tbsp Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Orange Honey (or regular orange blossom honey)
1/2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp Sea salt (to taste)
1/4 tsp Black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped broccoli florets, thinly sliced red onion, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, and crumbled cooked bacon. Mix these ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavors and textures.
Prepare the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, orange honey, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. This creates a creamy, tangy dressing with a hint of sweetness.
Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture and stir gently to coat all the ingredients evenly. Be careful to not break up the broccoli florets while mixing.
Chill for Flavor: Refrigerate the salad for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld together, enhancing the overall taste. This step is optional but recommended for best results.
Adjust Seasoning and Serve: After chilling, taste the salad and adjust salt and pepper to your preference if needed. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or a light meal.

Notes

For a nut-free option, substitute walnuts with pumpkin seeds.
Use 2/3 cup mayonnaise if you prefer a creamier texture.
The salad can be made a few hours in advance and refrigerated to deepen flavors.
Make sure bacon is fully cooked and cooled before adding to the salad.
Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of orange honey to taste.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes (for bacon preparation, if not pre-cooked)
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Broccoli salad, cranberry salad, bacon salad, healthy salad, creamy dressing, side dish, low sugar dressing